The Burj Khalifa is open – but only for ‘VIPs’

The Burj Khalifa remains closed to the public, after ‘maintenance’ issues forced its closure on February 7.

This is bad news for the countless Dubai residents and tourists who bought tickets, and who now face the annoyance of obtaining a refund, or rebooking at a later date.

But it’s not bad news if you’re Lord Peter Mandelson, UK’s Secretary of State for Business. Neither is it bad news if you’re NASA astronauts Barry E. Wilmore and Robert L. Satcher Jr.

For while the observation deck on level 124 of the Burj Khalifa remains closed to visitors, it emerged that these three ‘celebs’ were treated to a trip to the top – all of it publicized though two separate photo releases issued by developer Emaar’s public relations agency.

How do tourists feel about seeing ‘celebrities’ visit the Burj Khalifa, when the tower remains closed to the public? Probably more rock bottom, than ‘At The Top’.

Perhaps Emaar’s ‘public relations’ effort should be directed towards better communicating when the tower will actually open to the public, rather than highlighting the fact that only a select few are allowed up there.